THE HUNGER GAMES – MOCKINGJAY PART 2: THE GRAND FINALE

Fortunately I waited until this movie came out on DVD to watch the previous film or MOCKINGJAY PART 1. I’m glad I did as I would have been left trying to recall what I’d seen in the previous film which is what happened to me while watching it. With less confusion and a shorter time between films (2 days as opposed to 2 years) I was able to keep up with what was happening here.

Heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has survived the attack by Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) who has been brainwashed by the President (Donald Sutherland) to kill her. As if she didn’t have enough to make her hate the President this sets her off with a desire to see him dead at her hands. President Coin (Julianne Moore) keeps Katniss in check, telling her there is greater good to be done using her in promotional spots, much like she did in the previous film.

Once again Katniss finds a way to insert herself into the battlefield rather than stay behind and out of harm’s way. Her camera crew tags along once again to make sure they capture any inspiring moments that can be used to help promote the rebels cause and inspire people from all of the districts to join in.

But Katniss gets glimpses of war that she wasn’t aware of this time around. One of the last districts to fall is the one holding the weapons of the Capitol, buried within a mountain. Rather than take the long term route of a fierce battle Coin makes the decision to seal off all exits but one and bomb the mountain strategically so that it collapses inward thus killing all inside or forcing them to exit from that one left open. Katniss has a hard time coming to terms with killing people in such a brutal way but has no say in the decision.

As the film progresses we get more of a glimpse into President Coin and her choices. Not only are we made aware but Katniss begins to wonder if she can truly trust her or not. When told to stay behind as the rebel assault teams are sent out to capture the Capitol, Katniss hides onboard a supply ship. When she lands she finds a select squad who become her team and they set out to make their way into the Capitol to assassinate the President.

They know before going in that the game masters left inside have set traps along the route they need to take to reach the President’s mansion. Fortunately they have a device that helps them with a mapping of where most traps have been located, but new ones have been added as well. It seems as if another Hunger Games is about to begin.

As they progress through the city whose outskirts are deserted Katniss is told to be wary of all around her by the squad’s leader, Boggs (Mahershala Ali). A faithful soldier even he is concerned with the intentions of President Coil. Before he can discuss it in depth with Katniss he is killed and the team moves on.

From here on in the movie is action packed as the team does all they can to reach the President in his mansion. Comprised of Katniss’ film crew, her ex-love Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and with Peeta along in cuffs for promo pieces to be shot, they make their way towards the President dodging traps all along the route. Will they get there? Will Katniss kill the President? And when it comes down to it, who can she really trust? Are there good intentions behind the actions of all involved or are they just making it seem that way to get what they really want?

The movie holds your interest from start to finish with an ending that many will not see coming. Katniss’ sense of paranoia is well founded and it increases the suspense we as viewers feel while watching. Not only that but while we watch we have to decide as well just who can and can’t be trusted.

The movie is very well made with some subtle yet solid special effects as well as battle scenes and traps that will surprised even the most jaded viewer. All involved give standard performances with no one really standing out. Then again after 4 films and almost as many years perhaps even they have grown weary of the series. But fans will be delighted, those who loved the books and the movies, and an ending is to be had for a series that many have enjoyed. 

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